Inhibition of Hypoxia and Serum Deprivation-induced Apoptosis by Salvianolic Acid in Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Objective: To investigate the influence and mechanism of salvianolic acid B (SalB) on apoptosis inhibition in rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) induced by hypoxia and serum deprivation (hypoxia/SD).

Methods: SalB concentration of 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 mg/L (drug groups) were investigated for their ability to inhibit apoptosis in rat BMSCs. BMSCs in both the apoptosis model and drug groups were cultured under hypoxic conditions for 6 h, after which cell apoptosis and change in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected using flow cytometry. Activation of caspase-3 was detected using western blot analysis.

Results: Hypoxia/SD induced apoptosis in rat BMSCs. The early apoptosis rate was lower in the drug groups compared to the apoptosis model group (P < 0.05). SalB was found to inhibit the reduction in MMP and decrease the activation of caspase-3.

Conclusion: 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/L of SalB inhibits activation of caspase-3 and early apoptosis of rat BMSCs induced by hypoxia/SD and could therefore enhance the survival rate of grafted stem cells.